Daily Devotional | Knowing God

Pastor A. W. Tozer wrote, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” This is a profoundly true statement. What we believe about God changes the way we think about ourselves, others, and the world we live in. Just like our relationship with other people, our knowledge of God is not a static thing. It grows as we get to know Him better.

We conclude our study of images of God in the New Testament, with Ephesians 1. Here Paul prays for the church. His deepest desire is that we “may know him better” (v. 17). Paul understands that our first calling is to remain in fellowship with God (1 Cor. 1:8). God is unlike anyone else. He created the universe and stands outside of it. The only way we can know God is because He has made Himself known to us. He is revealed through His Word and ultimately through the Lord Jesus. Paul prays that we would learn about God through the enabling power of the Holy Spirit (vv. 17–18).

God provides many pictures in Scripture to help us understand His character and attributes better. We looked at how God is like different aspects of the created world—light, water, fire, and shield. We considered passages where God is compared to animals—a lion, eagle, or bear. We examined different human occupations that illustrate aspects of God’s character—shepherd, king, warrior, judge, and farmer, to name just a few. Finally, we looked at the most intimate pictures of God as a parent and husband.

>> It is our prayer that through this study, you have grown in your knowledge of God through His Word. What are the pictures of God that resonated with you the most? If you kept an artistic journal, maybe you can share what you have learned about God by posting some of your pictures!

Pray with Us

We love You, Lord, because of Your tender love for us. We adore You, King, because You are awesome in power. We depend upon you, Father, because You are the author of life. Make us every day more like You.

BY Ryan Cook

Dr. Ryan Cook has taught at Moody Bible Institute since 2012. He earned his bachelor of arts in Bible and Theology from Moody and his master of arts in Old Testament from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. He has worked in Christian education and served as a pastor in Michigan for seven years. During his time as a professor at Moody, he earned his doctorate from Asbury Theological Seminary. He now lives with his wife, Ashley, and their three children in the Chicagoland area.